Firecracker



T. G. HITT FIRECRACKER Sept. 29, 1931.

Filed Oct. 2, 1929 131g. 5. 3 7710111115 5'- Hi Patented Sept. 29, 1931W it,

l hl glt l @Fhl THOMAS G. lilTT, OF SEATTLE, WASHING-T625 FIRECRACKE-RApplication filed October 2,

This invention relates to pyrotechnics; and more particularly,firecrackers of the type covered in my Patent No. 1,253,596, patentedJanuary 15, 1918, and improved to be used with explosives containingflash compositions.

The principal object is to provide a stru ture which will produce themaximum flash with a detonation, but particularly for the w productionof colored flash detona-tions, since th short outer tube does notinterfere with the depth and brilliancy of the color.

In my invention covered by Letters Patent No. 1,253,596, I stated thatit was not neces- 15 sary to use a plug, wad, or other means for closingthe end of the tube, as by having a substantial length of tube projectbeyond the explosive, a cushion of air was formed which acted in exactlythe same manner as the so plug to confine the gases and result in anexplosion vhen the same was ignited.

Wi h the advent of flash compositions, as covered in my Letters PatentNo. 1,253,597, it became highly desirable to have a flash 25 as well asdetonation. As a result of numerous tests and experiments, I have foundhat by extending the tube beyond the explosive superior'detonation isobtained, but that the extension of the tube serves to so smother theflash. By having the bag containing the flash and explosive compositionextend slightly beyond the tube, a much superior flash is obtained, andat the same time, the walls of the tube confine the explo- 3 siresufliciently to result in a detonation.

When I remove the tube altogether from the bag; where the bag has a verythin wrapping, no detonation results, there being merely a flash; but,where the tube surrounded the bag, I found a very substantial detonationwas obtained, although not as superior as where the tube extended beyondthe end of the explosive.

Still another object is to provide a firecracker with a fuse that willprevent leakage of the powder and insure positive ignition.

Still another object is to provide means for securing the bag containingthe explosive in such a Way as to secure the fuse in 1929. Serial No. Q

place, and yet prevent sive from the bag.

Heretofore, where several. folds wereused in making the the end that wastied became so bulky and cumbersome, that the same could not be securelyclosed, with the result that there was, considerable leakage of theexplosive composition, and of the gases after the ignition of theexplosive.

Other objects will be disclosed in the specification and drawings made apart of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a section in elevation showing the preferred form ofsecuring the fuse;

Figure 2 is a section in elevation showing a modified form of securingthe fuse;

Figure 3 is a section in elevation, showing another form of securing thefuse;

Figure 4 is a bottom plan of the invention.

as shown in Figure 1;

' Figure 5 is section taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawi 's, in which like parts are designated by sinnnumerals Numeral 6 designates a tube or casing 0 light wrappingmaterial, within which is a bag 'Tformed of paper. i

This bag is usually formed by placing a char e of explosive, whichcontains a flash material, within a piece of paper, turning upone endand rolling the same in the form of a'cylinder, pasting the sides andtying the top with string or thread 8.' An ordinary bag, as shown in theillustration, w th a cylindrical bottoin 9 may be used and the explosiveplaced therein. A looped fuse 10 is inserted in the bag 7, as shown inthe preferred form, :Figure 1, and the loose ends bent over and loopedback into the be prosenting two loops 11 and 12 on the outside, and aloop 13 on the inside.

As shown in Figure '2, two loopsv 11 and 12 will be inserted ontheinside of the 7 and a single loop 18 placed on the outside, leavingtwo loose ends 14 and 15 extendii'ig therefrom.

The modification, in Figure 3, comprises two pieces of fuse 17 and18,'the fuse l7 bent to form a loop 17 the loop portion extendleakage ofthe exploQ mouth of the bag 19 inside the short leg 20.

acts as a protective covering The loop 17 for the long leg 22 to preventloss of powder from the fuse 18.

I have found that with theordinary open I ended fuse which extends intothe explosive,

the quick burning power which-forms the fuse becomes dislodged, withthe'resuit that there is no explosion, or where the slow burn ingexplosive, which is generally used in the or tube, works up into thefuse a very slow explosion is caused, which is exceedingly dangerous, asoften the person firing the cracker believes the cracker is dead andpicks the same up, only to have it explode in his hand. By having thefuse extend into the explosive in the form of a continuous loop, thereis no danger of the contingencies taking place which I have mentioned;and further, by having either a-single loop extend into the explosive ora double loop, as shown in Figure 2, a dual ignition is always obtained, which results in the explosion of the cracker.

A flash composition, embodying various color ingredients, may be used inthe bag so that the cracker may be used at night as Well as in thedaytime for its pyrotechnic display effect, the short outer tubeallowing the depth of color to show vividly.

One of the greatest problems in connection with the manufacture offirecrackers is that of leakage either of the materials before they haveexploded, or the gases after the materials have ignited.

I find that where a plurality of folds are used in construction of thebag, it is diflicult to secure the end into which the fuses have beeninserted without having a substantial leakage, particularly of thematerial. By tearing the outer strips adjacent the mouth of the bag sothat only a few strips of paper are left, the mouth of the be securelyclosed with little or nov leakage of material (shown in Figure 2).

Obviously I do not confine myself to any particular bag or tube, so longas the tube is open-ended and does not extend beyond the end of the bagcontaining the explosive and the bag is suitable for holding theexplosive.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and novel is: l

l. .A firecracker comprising an openended tube, a bag containing a flashcomposaaSse sition Within saidbag, said bag extending beyond the ends ofsaid tube.

2. A firecracker comprising an open-ended tube, a bag within said tubecontaining a flash composition, said bag extending beyond the ends ofsaid tube, said bag formed with a plurality of wrappings, and having amouth, a fuse within said bag and extending from said mouth, a reducednumber of layers of'wrapping material forming said mouth, and means forsecuring said fuse in place within said bag.

3. A petard comprising a container having an explosive therein, a fuseextending into and out of said container, said fuse forming a singleloop exterior of said container and a double loop within said container.

4:. A firecracker comprising an open-ended tube, a bag containing aflash composition within said tube, said bag extending beyond an end ofsaid tube.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

THOMAS G. HITT.

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